Category: Midway Route 2024 SitReps

Mea Culpa!

 

I have to start off this SITREP with a huge apology to all of the Midway Route Riders.  Yesterday, I ended our SITREP by saying we would have a “splash of fun.”  I was referring to our annual lunch stop at the “Blue Hole.”   I hadn’t checked the forecast when I wrote that, and it rained ALL DAY today!  So I will own it!  I made the mistake!  I will try not to do that again!

Okay, you may have figured it out: we got wet today.  It was raining pretty hard when we woke up, but at least it was a balmy 44 degrees.  (Sarcasm, just in case you didn’t get it.)  Yep.  Cold and wet, for most of the day.  Just when we thought we were getting out of it, another band of “bad” weather would roll in.  But the Midway Route doesn’t stop just for some cold rain.  We are on a Mission, and we will keep to our schedule.

“The weather started getting rough.  Our tiny bikes were tossed.  If not for the courage of our fearless Road Guards, the Midway might get lost.”

Okay, it wasn’t that bad.  It just seemed like it for a few miles.  Our Road Guards were amazing, though.  Even when we had (very) limited visibility, they were still out there doing their jobs of keeping us on time, on schedule, on the right roads, and keeping us safe from other traffic.

The work that these dedicated volunteers do is so hard to describe.  They are the first up and (almost) the last to bed.  They know every turn and exit on our entire route, and have an incredible system for dispatching an RG to a specific exit or ramp.  If you are listening on the CB radio, you might hear our Road Guard Captain say something like “Psycho … 239.”  What he has just done is tell Psycho (that’s his road name) to go and control exit or ramp number 239. Or you might hear him say something about a “push team.”  These are the Road Guards that help “push” merging traffic over to the leftso that we can safely merge onto the highway.  If you hear someone announce “Mazz is back in the nest.”, that simply means that Mazz has finished his assignment, made his way back up to the front of the pack (not an easy feat in itself), and has rejoined the pack of Road Guards, ready to be deployed again.

Each member of our Road Guard Team is an extremely accomplished Rider.  They take advanced rider courses every two years, at a minimum.  Some take that course and more, EVERY year.  We have some “Certified Escort Riders” as well.  That is a WHOLE other level of professional riding.  I have been honored to ride as a Road Guard for a couple of years, and I have seen these Guys and Gals in action. They are simply the best at what they do that you will ever find.  They are also pretty nice people, as well!  Every time I get to meet up with them , whether out front of the pack or at an intersection, I am amazed at how they handle each situation, and even more happy that I get to “play with them.”  The nicest thing that they have said to me this year was yesterday, when they caught up to me right before our last fuel stop.  I heard “Pipes” on the radio saying “Hey!  We found a Hoofer!”  Thanks Pipes!  That made my day!

Y’all be sure to go hug a Road Guard tomorrow.  Tell them that Hoofer sent you!

But let’s get back to the rain again, just for a little while.  As cold as it was, and as miserably wet as some of us felt, I overheard a couple of Riders saying that at least we could get inside, warm up, and dry off every once in a while, unlike the POWs that we are riding for.  That simple statement made me forget my own discomfort for a bit, and reflect on what that rider had just said.  WE ARE lucky.  What do you think some of those POWs would have given to be on a motorcycle riding through wet cold rain, with the promise of warmth, safety, and food waiting for them?  How could we complain about such a temporary affliction?  We KNOW there will be an end to our “suffering.”  They did not.  I was so proud of our Riders for the attitude they displayed today.

And it wasn’t just the weather that has been mentioned.  A few days ago, our lunch stops were being discussed.  One Rider asked what we would generally be served, and without any hesitation, someone said “It doesn’t matter.  It will be the best meal that you have ever had!  And if it isn’t up to your liking, just think of what a POW might have to eat.”

These kind of conversations happen on a daily basis, with every Rider that I have encountered.  No matter what is going on, someone always brings it back to our Mission of honoring, serving, and remembering our Veterans and POW-MIAs.  The Midway Route Riders really focus on our Mission, and don’t hold back on their emotions or dedication.  I am so pleased to be a (small) part of this group!

But after all of that riding in the rain, it was time for that “splash of fun” that I mentioned yesterday.  Our lunch stop is at the “Blue Hole” in Santa Rosa, New Mexico.  This watering spot is an 81-foot deep spring fed pool that has a beautiful blue color.  One of our Midway Route traditions, started by a Road Guard named “Gear Shift” and faithfully carried on by “Mazz” is to jump into the pool, wearing full Road Guard gear!  As an enthusiastic crowd of four looked on, Mazz took the plunge!  Traditions: Check!  Good job Mazz!  I am proud of you!  (I would have joined him, but I was carrying a bunch of cameras, you know, and I didn’t want them to get wet.  That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!)

It wasn’t long after lunch that the sun broke through the clouds and it turned out to be a pretty nice afternoon.  In fact, it was so nice that when we stopped at our last fuel stop for the day, we went in for ice-cream!  The Midway Route Riders LOVE their ice-cream!  We actually go to several places that serve up really good and big scoops.  So all of you FNGs, if you see the Road Guards hurrying into a store en-masse, follow them!  There may be something yummy waiting for you!  And to show you their generosity, a couple of them threw down some money today and started a tab for anyone that wanted a cone.  I’m telling you, our Road Guards are the BEST!

Outside of the “Russel’s Travel Center” on Route 66 (just outside of Glenrio, NM), there is always a beautiful Family of Veterans waiting to greet us.  They give us (more) ice-cream, some flags, bandanas, small medical kits, sunscreen, water, hats, shot glasses, and a score of other little items, just to thank US for making this Mission.  They do all of this from their own pocket, and don’t accept anything other than a hug as “payment.”  It is WE who should be thanking THEM, and we do!  I look forward to seeing them every year.

Eventually, we made it to our final stop of the day: Amarillo, Texas.  (I always breathe just a little better under my big Texas Skies!)  The Christian Heritage Church puts on a spread that is unrivaled!  Smoked and BBQ’d ribs, smoked chicken, cole-slaw, potato salad, apple cobbler, sweet tea!  Oh, I am making myself hungry again!  But as good as it is (and trust me, it is GOOD!), that isn’t the best part of the evening.  There is always some sort of a small ceremony or presentation to keep our minds focused.  This evening, we heard a beautiful rendition of our National Anthem by an equally beautiful Young Lady.  She didn’t screech out the words, or try to impress us with some amazing range of high notes.  She just sang it the way it was intended, and let her angelic voice wash over us.  The roar of applause when she was finished wasn’t just for the Anthem, but for her respect of that anthem.  She didn’t need any vocal gymnastics to impress us.  (But I bet she COULD hit those notes.  She was very good.)  She also sang “Amazing Grace” at the end of our evening.  It was so nice to hear.

Part of the presentation was to hear a few words from a “Gold Star” Family member.  Donna Morgan lost her Husband in Vietnam back in the late 1960’s.  She has dedicated her life to making sure that other Gold Star families don’t have to go through the same anguish that she did, by becoming an advocate for Family rights.  All of the Gold Star Family members that I have met seem to k now her, and they hold her in the highest esteem.

So what did she do for us this evening?  She had made a quilt that she said could be given to someone, or used as a prize for a raffle, or anything that we wanted to do with it.  She had barely gotten the words out of her mouth when a bidding frenzy started!  Donna’s quilt brought in $450 dollars in less than a minute!  Ms Morgan, I think you could start taking orders for these!  Thank You for the beautiful quilt donation, but more importantly, thank you for your sacrifices throughout the years.  Your husband, and YOU, will not be forgotten.

And with that, Folks, our day has ended.  There was more that happened, I am sure, but I don’t have those stories to tell you yet.  (The Outreach Team has been very busy!  I may have to dedicate an entire SITREP to what they are doing!)  If you would, please say a prayer for good weather and safe travels for all of our fabulous Midway Route Riders.  We still have a long way to go.

Cheers!

Jim “Hoofer” McCrain
Midway Route Photographer and SITREP Author

Follow this link to see some photos from today’s journey.  Be sure to check back after the Run for more!

Making miles and leaving smiles!

Today was a good day!  It started out with some fine, cool temperatures and clear skies.  Who could ask for better riding weather?  (Okay, I thought it was fine.  At about 50 degrees, some people thought it was cold, but I liked it!)

Our day actually began with a “morning meeting.”  This is when we discuss the days itinerary, any weather concerns, upcoming road conditions and how we will handle them, and a review of the hand signals that we use while riding.  We also introduce any guest that might be visiting, and ask all of our FNGs to come up front so we can welcome them into our Family again.  (We actually do that to them every day!)  We also like to recognize any Active Duty personnel, including Reservists,  that might be joining us, as well as Blue Star Families.  Each of these groups gets a round of applause.  But then we honor our Gold Star Families with a moment of silence.  There is no applause for a Family that has lost a loved one in the service of our country.  The moment of silence seems much more fitting.

When we finally started up our bikes and got out on the road, I lead a group of Ambassadors and Outreach Team Members over to Winslow, Arizona.  We were such a fine site to see!

Our reason for this little excursion was officially to Thank the people of Winslow for allowing us to parade through their town.  This was a first for the Midway Route, and I was so glad to see it.  You see, there are several nice little souvenir shops right there at “Standing on a Corner” park.  One of them is owned by a very ardent Patriot.  He has been known to buy hundreds of American Flags and give them out to the Winslow Citizens, free of charge, for the Fourth of July and other patriotic holidays.  I have been stopping into his store every time that I ride through Winslow.

For others, the stop was kind of a “pilgrimage” to recapture memories of their younger days.  (If you don’t understand the fascination with Winslow, please listen to the song “Take it Easy” by the Eagles.  This song was an anthem for many of us in years gone by!)  Of course, that is just an excuse to visit.  Another real reason was to see the 9-11 Memorial just on the outskirts of town.  It was just a really cool side-trip!  We like to have fun when we can!

There would be more fun to come, as we were heading to Milan Elementary School for lunch.  The kids there are really amazing!  They aren’t just growing up in their town, they are being raised as American Patriots!  They are polite, well educated, and enthusiastic.  So enthusiastic that I learned something very valuable today: When you put 300 kids in an auditorium and then add 250 Riders and they are all chanting “USA!  USA!  USA!” it is easy to get exhausted!  And the “noise” level was intense!  I shouldn’t call it “noise” because it wasn’t.  It was pure youthful patriotism, and I liked it!

Immediately after we left the Kids at Milan, we headed to Grants (New Mexico) and laid a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.  Four of our Riders did a very nice job with the ceremony.  Even on days when we are supposed to just be traveling and having fun, we take the time to do some serious things.

Oh wait!  I forgot something!  Before we got to Milan, at one of our fuel stops, someone asked if I knew a guy Joseph Hudson.  I said “Nope!  But I know a guy that we call Gump!”  Joe and Gump are the same person in reality.  We call him Gump because, just like Forrest Gump, he got shot in the buttocks in Iraq.  He was also taken Prisoner and held for 22 days!  His story is amazing to hear.

Anyway, I was told that there were two people in the store that were there with Gump when he was wounded and captured.  I immediately went over to meet them, just to find myself face-to-face with Gump himself!  Imagine my surprise to see my good friend, because he rides with the Southern Route!  Standing next to him were two of his fellow soldiers, both of whom had been wounded and captured with him.  What an honor it was for us to have these former POWs here with us.  They weren’t riding with us, they just drove out to visit!

Remember that I said we like to have fun?  Imagine the look on Shawna’s face when I told her that I had been to her house and seen her in her pajamas!  It took her a minute to remember the time that Gump and I went to visit her, unannounced and unlooked for!  She was such a gracious host!  And she has invited me back for another visit.

Today we also got another look at the organized chaos that we call a fuel stop.  Our first for the day was truly chaotic, not because of anything bad, just the fact that the fuel station was an incredibly busy truck stop.  WE had to wind our way through a maze of trucks, circle around a couple of parking lots, and THEN make our way to the pumps.  I shouldn’t call it chaotic.  It is much more of an orchestrated dance.  (Even though it could look like we have two left feet, to those that don’t know what we are doing.)  We made it through the “ordeal” and even had time to go inside for some donated donuts and coffee.

Have you noticed that I have said “donated” several times already?  We use that term because the items aren’t “free.”  Someone had to pay for them, but then they give them to us.  We like to thank them by using the term donated.  It reminds us that there is a cost to everything, even if it isn’t to us.

Our last stop of the day was Thunderbird Harley Davidson in Albuquerque.  You know where it is: just go down the highway, curve left onto another interstate, make your way through the rush-hour traffic, and then … … What happened to all of the traffic?  The roads were completely empty!  The side roads had cars stacked up, all wanting to get on the highways.  The oncoming traffic was at a standstill.  But our side of the roads were completely devoid of any vehicles.  Except for the twenty-eight motorcycle officers, six police cruisers, and an untold number of other service vehicles that were giving us a “Presidential Escort.”  It was an amazing site to see and experience!

And I had a very nice surprise.  I got to experience this escort from the very front line, as one of the leading positions of the Missing Man Formation!  When I was asked by “10-a-See”, our Route Coordinator, if I would like to ride next to him at the front of the Formation, I immediately said YES!  It is ALWAYS an honor to be a part of the Missing Man Formation, but with a Presidential Escort, it was even more meaningful.  The people stopped on the side of the road had no idea what was going on, I am sure.  But WE did, and just like that moment of silence that we gave for our Gold Star Families this morning, the empty highways just seemed to make our Formation a little more poignant.  I was able to put down my cameras for a few miles, and reflect on the names of so many Men that never made it back home, their families that have become as dear as my own family, and the sacrifices made by the comrades of the former POWs that we visited just a few hours earlier.  Thank You, Don King, for giving me that honor.

Some of our group had a different destination for the evening.  Three of our Platoons, plus the Ambassador and Outreach Teams, had dinner at the local VFW hall.  The guest of honor was a 99-year old Veteran of World War II, Korea, and the Berlin Airlift.  He served in the Navy, Army Air Corps, and Air Force.  I wasn’t there to hear his stories, but I am hoping that some of the people that did meet him can relate what he said to them.  They must be bursting with pride to have met such an amazing American Hero!

See?  It was a very good day!

Tomorrow will be another long day of riding, with just a “splash” of fun.  Tune in tomorrow to find out what I am talking about!

 

Cheers!

Jim “Hoofer” McCrain
Midway Route Photographer and SITREP Author

 

 

 

 

 

 

Follow this link to see a few photos from todays journey.  And come back once the Run is over.  I will upload several hundred more for each day!

06:30.  Location: A large parking lot in Ontario, California.  A bugle sounds “Call to the Colors.”  Immediately, all conversations stopped, 250+ Riders and 100 or more visitors turned to the sound, and rendered honors to our Flag.  As soon as the call ended, everyone quickly moved forward towards the stage.  The National Anthem was played and we said the Pledge of Allegiance to our Flag.  Announcements were made, Dignitaries and RFTW Board of Directors were introduced.  Plans for the day were discussed, and then the Riders broke into their individual Platoons for further instructions.  Minutes later, engines were started and the bikes moved out.  As they passed underneath a fifty-foot American Flag, Run For The Wall Midway Route 2024 was finally underway.

As we rode through the streets of Ontario and approached the highway, I wondered what was going through the minds of our FNGs.  (Fine New Guys/Gals.)  I remembered the first time that I rode underneath that flag, a dozen years ago.  I was nervous, felt a little out-of-place, unsure if I was ready for this “adventure” both physically and mentally.  Only time would tell.

As the morning progressed, I started to feel more comfortable with the close formation riding, but not really comfortable enough to enjoy it.  (That would come later.)  As I watched the Road Guards work in a carefully orchestrated dance with their machines, I realized just how much time and thought had been put into keeping us safe.  The Road Guards worked in conjunction with the local Police force, controlling intersections and on-ramps so that our “pack” wouldn’t have to stop or worry about traffic congestion.  These people that I had been getting to know for only a couple of days suddenly took on a completely different attitude and demeaner.  Listening to their conversations and instructions of the CB radio was amazing.  The professionalism and dedication of the Road Guards quickly became apparent.

An hour into the ride, we made a detour onto an active Marine Base, and paraded through the middle of it.  Again, the streets were lined with spectators.  But this time, they were in uniforms and fatigues.  I was astonished that our Active Duty Military would be so excited to see us roll through their base.  But there they were, cheering just as loudly as our other supporters had.

But all of a sudden, we had left the Base and were on an original section of the famous Route 66.  We wound through the country side for a few miles, undulating up and down as the road followed the natural contours of the terrain, just as it was before the big interstate highways were created.  “This is kind of fun” was my thought … until we got to a fuel stop.

That’s where a whole new type of organized chaos appeared.

The carefully constructed platoon system was broken down in a matter of seconds.  People in yellow hats waving big orange flags started directing Riders “randomly” (it seemed) towards various lanes at a fuel pump.  As soon as I got stopped, I was told to turn off my bike, open my tank, and pump my own gas.  A nozzle was then handed to me, directly from the tank of the bike next to me.  Before I had even started pumping the fuel, that guy was gone and someone else pulled up in his place.  When my tank was full, the nozzle was taken away from me and I was told to “start it up and pull forward.”

That’s when I met the folks wearing blue hats.  They had the same orange flags, but now I was being directed to a “staging area.”  Before I knew it, I had been directed to a spot that had been reserved specifically for my Platoon.  And then the chaos was over.  I could now walk to the hydration trailer where a guy wearing a white hat handed me a bottle of water and a bag of chips.  He smiled at me and said something like “Well FNG, what do you think so far?”  I mumbled something about “This is crazy!”  And then we both smiled.

This morning, I saw that same “deer in the headlights” look on the faces of the 2024 FNG group.  I heard them talking amongst themselves, saying almost exactly the same things that I had said so many years ago.  And I saw them smile and heard them laugh. The anxiety of the Run was quickly fading away.  By the time we had done this two more times for the day, these FNGs were riding and operating like professionals.  It was fun to watch them progress throughout the day.

But that was just the physical part of the day.  Remember me saying something about being mentally ready?  That aspect of the Run popped up very quickly.  In fact, immediately!  Run For The Wall does not move qn inch with those bikes unless we have a Missing Man Formation ready.  The whole point of our Mission is to “ride for those that can’t” and to provide support, healing and comfort to the Families of our Missing in Action and Killed in Action personnel.  We do this with the Missing Man Formation.

The MMF consists of six Riders.  Two in the front, two in the back, and two in the middle.  Except that one of those two middle positions is empty.  The empty space represents that sixth rider, that physically cannot be with us.  We guard that empty space zealously.  No one enters it, walks through it, rides over it, or moves into it, even when we are rolling down the highway.  The space may seem empty, but the memories of a Fallen Friend or Family Member fill it in the hearts and minds of all of the Riders.  Indeed, before the pack begins to move, our Missing Man Coordinator announces over the airwaves the name of our Missing Man, and a little information about them.

The point of honor, that middle position next to the empty space, is emotionally draining.  Every Rider talks about how hard it is to ride their bike with eyes filled with tears.  They mention that thoughts from years gone by, memories lost in time, come flooding back, sometimes with a visceral vengeance that makes the Rider physically break down sobbing.  But in a moment of peace, the sorrow is lifted, and the good memories are what is left.  Healing enters the Rider, followed by joy.  These emotions are felt and shared by each and every Rider.  Because we know that “This is why we Ride.”

Say Their Names!

To help the Riders deal with these emotions, we have a full Chaplain Corp.  There is one Chaplain that rides in the Formation every day.  He/She is there to offer comfort to the Escort Rider.  The Escort Rider is offered small tokens to help them remember both the pain and the joy, because without one, there could not be the other.  For each of the four Run For the Wall routes, the Missing Man Chaplain has a donated “Military Bible Stick” for each Escort Rider.  This is a small MP3 player with a narrated version of the New Testament Bible on it.  The Rider doesn’t have to take it if they don’t want to.  But very few ever refuse it.  In fact, it has been reported to me that some Riders have stated that they aren’t believers, but they then gratefully accept the “stick” and start listening to it.  They also start talking to their fellow Riders about their experiences, drawing strength from the fact thqt others have faced the same sort of horrors and losses.  The Riders heal each other!

And I saw that happen today, as well.

Folks, this is what Run For the Wall is all about.  We help each other deal with difficulties, traumatic experiences, loneliness, PTSD, the loss of a friend or family member, that sense of abandonment that many Veterans feel.  In our Midway Route Family, they find kindred spirits that truly want to help out a Brother or Sister, because they just might need some help themselves.  For those of us that aren’t Veterans, we get to see the healing process take place, and are welcomed into the Family just as much as the Veterans are.  The Civilians/Patriots offer proof that our Country hasn’t abandoned our Military, and that their fellow countrymen DO care.  We are all a part of this amazing process.

Once our FNGs have heard the names of our Missing a time or two, and have started talking to each other about their experiences, a change quickly starts to come over the entire group.  Remember how earlier I called this a “ride” and an “adventure”?  By the end of the first day, every fully understands that it is so much more than that: We are on a Mission.  And that is how I will refer to Run For The Wall from now on.

I want to take a moment to Thank all of the wonderful people and organizations that support us in our Mission.  We get fed.  We get some donated fuel.  We get hugs.  People line the overpasses and city streets to cheer us as we quickly ride by.  We have Law Enforcement escorts.  We don’t do this Mission on our own.  We COULDN’T do this Mission on our own.  Thank You, each and every one, for what you do for the Midway Route of Run For The Wall.

Well, it’s late, and I need to get some sleep.  I have looked at our itinerary for tomorrow, and it is going to be busy.  There will be a lot of miles to cover, a lot of people and places to visit, and more camaraderie to enjoy and participate in.  Let’s hope that all those wonderful FNGs get a good nights rest.  We have more to come!

Cheers!

Jim “Hoofer” McCrain
Midway Route Photographer and SITREP Author

 

 

 

 

Follow this link to see a few photos from todays journey.  And come back once the Run is over.  I will upload several hundred more for each day!

Here we are, in Ontario, California.  1500 Riders gathering together, ready to begin our annual Mission to remember and honor our nations Veterans, Active Duty personnel, former Prisoners of War, and the families of our (still) Missing in Action.  It is a Mission that we do not take lightly.

Howdy Folks!  I am Jim McCrain.  People around here just call me “Hoofer.”  I have been asked to be your SITREP Author for 2024.  This means that every day I will try to relate a few of the stories and events that we have experienced.  Some of the stories are going to be funny, some will be sad.  Some will be informative, and others will be (hopefully) instructional.  But they will all be a truthful representation of the Midway Route experience of Run For The Wall.

So let’s get to it!

Today, for the Midway Route, has been exceptionally busy.  We depart Ontario a day earlier than the other two routes, which means we have a LOT of work to get done in a very short amount of time.  You may be thinking that all we do is get on our motorcycles and ride.  Well, you would be wrong!  Before we can ride, we have to know where we are going, how we will get there, how long it will take each day, where we will fuel both the bikes and our stomachs, where to stop for those all important restroom breaks, and a myriad of other small minute physical details.  We also need to know how, when , and where to take care of the emotional needs of our Riders.  After all, that is what Run For The Wall is all about.

None of this “just happens.”  We have a Route Coordinator that is responsible for every aspect of the Run.  Don “10-a-see” King is our main main this year, and I have absolute faith that he will lead us successfully and safely across this country.  He has been a Road Guard AND the RG Captain for many years, as well as the Assistant Route Coordinator.  He has the skills, knowledge, and experience to do this job!

But he has a lot of help, too.  From our Assistant Route Coordinator, to the Support Personnel, Road Guards, Staging Crew, Fuel Team, Advance Team, Hydration Team, Chase Vehicles, Outreach Team, Ambassadors, Chaplain Corp, and Medical Team, there are a lot of people involved with getting us moving.  Aside from all of these Volunteers, there are the Riders themselves.  These people are divided up into “platoons” based on the type of vehicle they are riding, their skill levels, and sometimes their personal preferences. (“I want to ride with that guy.”)  The platoons are also restricted to certain size/number limits, so that we can have gaps in our footprint as we roll down the road.  These gaps are critical for our safety, as they allow other vehicles that are not with our group to continue to use our highways without to much interruption.  There is a lot going on!

So today was filled with meetings for each of the Teams, as well as some for the individual platoons.  There was an “FNG” meeting where we got to meet our “Fine New Guys/Gals” and they got to start seeing just a little bit of what they have signed up for.  I always like meeting the FNGs, and seeing the look in their eyes as they wander around trying to take in all of the activity around them.  It finally begins to dawn on them that all of this hustle and bustle is done for THEM!  There comes a moment when you can see the gleam in their eyes just start to sparkle, and their smiles grow so big!  AS the Route Photographer, I get to interact with each of them (probably) a little more than most of the other Leadership Team.  My job is to capture the images and stories of the FNGs, and in doing so, I get to know some of them very well.

Today was no exception.  This morning, as I was walking to my bike to head over to the Elks Lodge for some breakfast and (another) meeting, I saw a young Lady standing near her bike.  She was alone, but didn’t look lonely.  She DID look like she had no idea where she was going or what she should be doing.  (Until the Run actually starts tomorrow, all the FNGs have to do is get registered and start meeting people!)  So I walked up to her, introduced myself, and found out her name is “Blaze.”  We talked a little bit, and I could see that she just needed to be pointed in the proper direction and maybe “goaded” just a little to start meeting her fellow Riders.  Within about 30 seconds of telling a few jokes and stories, her “lost” attitude was gone, and I saw that sparkle!  “Blaze” is going to be fun to watch, and I have a feeling that she is going to really get something out of this experience.  I warned her, in front of the whole group, that I was going to keep my eye on her and probably pick on her a bit.  She laughed and  brazenly said “Bring it, Hoofer!”  Oh Boy, this is going to be fun!

But like I said, this is a Mission.  It isn’t a joy ride.  We have people to see, places to go, and a message to deliver.  We want the country to pay honor to our Veterans, and to take care of them.  We want to know what happened to to our Missing Personnel.  We DEMAND answers!  WE want to assure our Active Duty personnel that THEY will be taken care of, honored, and given what they deserve for defending our freedom.  Sure, we have fun while we do all of this, but the fun is needed.  There will be times each day when most every Rider will have tears in their eyes.  There will be times when a Rider will need a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen, or just simply a handshake and a hug to let them know that someone cares.  They might just need someone to stand or sit silently beside them, so that they know they are not alone.  The smiles you will see in our pictures, the laughter that you will hear if you visit us, the jokes that will be told, the miles ridden on our bikes that we so desperately love doing, are all part of the catharsis of healing our emotional wounds and needs.

This is what I hope to convey to you over the next 11 days.  The stories will not be mine.  They will come directly from the Riders, and particularly those “Fine New Guys and Gals” that we are welcoming into our Midway Route Family.  Get ready, because tomorrow morning, at oh so early o’clock, we will start those engines and roll out of the parking lot, headed to Washington DC and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.  Hang on!  It’s going to be a wild ride!

Cheers!

Jim “Hoofer” McCrain
Midway Route Photographer and SITREP Author

 

 

 

 

You will be able to see photos from each days ride HERE.

I have just returned from Arlington National Cemetery, attending the funeral and memorial service for a true American Hero, Col. Bernard L. Talley, Jr..  “Bunny” (as his friends called him) was a survivor of the infamous ‘Hanoi Hilton Prison Camp’ during the Vietnam War.  He was a “guest” there for over six years.  He and his fellow prisoners returned with grace, dignity, and honor.  It was a privilege for me to be asked to attend his final service.

For two days after saying Fair Well to Col. Talley, I roamed the streets of Washington DC, reflecting on all of the thousands of Men and Women that have sacrificed everything for our Country.  From the Franklin D. Roosevelt memorial, to the Korean War monument, The Women’s Museum (in Arlington National Cemetery), to the Vietnam Memorial Wall itself, I was struck with such a remorse for the lives lost, but as well a profound joy to know that there ARE brave Men and Women who are willing to protect our Nation.  I wept as I read the names of those soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and civilians, and read the heroic deeds that gained them immortality.

I read their names … out loud.

I remembered them.

My heart and mind are ready for our Run For The Wall Mission.

My name is Jim McCrain, better known to you as “Hoofer.”  I have been asked to write the daily Midway Route SITREPs (Situation Reports) for 2024.  I accept this honor with as much humility and respect as I can.  As in past years, I will do my best to relate to you the stories and experiences that I hear during our Mission.  These will not be MY stories, as they will be provided by our Riders.  I will try to faithfully report on what THEY are seeing, doing, and experiencing each day.  I appreciate their trust in me to chronicle their ride.  I hope that you will join us each day!

Before we can get those motorcycles rolling down the road, we all need to prepare ourselves.  It should go without saying that our bikes should be in perfect working order.  Our tires should be fresh, the oil should be changed, and our bags should be packed (lightly).  We need to be physically ready, as well.  I hope that all of the Riders have been putting some miles on their iron steeds, practicing riding in both the left- and right-track of the road.  We should have been sharpening up our slow speed riding maneuvers, which are critical for getting through the mazes found at our staging areas.  Doing some formation riding, whether it be with the Patriot Guard Riders, an American Legion escort ride, or even a “HOG” Chapter ride, has always been a part of my own prep.  (Just kidding.  I don’t ride a HOG!)

But we also need to be getting our minds set for this Mission.  I won’t call it a “ride” anymore, because it it so much more than that.  Yes, we will be ON a motorcycle, but our minds will be IN a Mission.  RFTW is all about paying honor and tribute to our Veterans, their Families, their Friends, and those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our Country.  Our motto is “We Ride For Those That Can’t.”  This includes our Prisoner of War and Missing in Action.  The “POW-MIA” issue has been at the forefront of our Mission since it began.  Indeed, this is why our Mission began, 34 years ago.  It is only by supporting our military, Veterans, and their Families that we can truly show to our country that we want, no … we DEMAND a full accounting for each and every member of our armed forces.  It is a daunting task, but we hold firm in our resolve.

And sometimes it pays off.  In December of 2023, Capt. Ronald W. Forrester was positively identified and repatriated home.  We got one of our MIA back!  THIS is why we Ride!  Capt. Forrester is the Father of one of our Southern Route Riders, Karoni Forrester.  The celebration of the Captains life and service was one that I will never forget, and RFTW was well represented there.  I know that Karoni appreciates our continued support.

But one success story isn’t enough.  We all know that there are still thousands of MIA from each of America’s wars that are not accounted for.  Run For The Wall has many Riders among our ranks that are still waiting for their Fathers to return.  These aren’t anonymous or faceless names.  They just might be the person riding next to you as we roll on down the road.  We need to reach out to each of our MIA Family members, our Fellow Riders, and assure them that we haven’t forgotten them OR their Fathers.  I will say it again, THIS IS WHY WE RIDE!

So please, before our Mission gets underway, take a moment or two to visit a local Veterans Memorial.  Yes, your town has one!  And if you can’t find it, just go to your local Post Office and look at the flag pole.  I guarantee that there is a POW-MIA flag flying every day.  Gaze at it, and think about WHY it is there.  Ask yourself WHY do we even need that flag.  The answer is because we still need answers!  We need our countrymen back HOME!

In just a few short weeks, thousands of Riders will be converging in Ontario California with these thoughts at the top of our minds.  Honor.  Courage.  Duty.  Sacrifice.

Say their names, and Remember Them.

Jim “Hoofer” McCrain
Midway Route Photographer and SITREP Author